Joseph Norman DeClue

Prayer service for Joseph Norman DeClue will be 7 p.m., Thurs., Sept. 19, at the Musgrove-Merriott-Smith Chapel. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Thurs. 2-7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Sat., Sept. 21, at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Richwoods, MO. Visitation will be held at Mahn Funeral Home in DeSoto, MO, from 5-8 p.m. A rosary service will be held at the funeral home Fri. at 6:30 p.m.

Joseph entered eternal rest on Wednesday September 18, 2013, at St. John Hospital, Tulsa, at the age of 75, after having received the last anointing of the Catholic Church.

The son of George Leon and Julia (Delcour) DeClue was born April 7, 1938, in Richwoods, MO. Joseph was raised on the family farm in Clear Creek, where he attended Berry School. At the age of 19 Joe enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. After his discharge he returned to the farm to help his dad. He later went to work for McDonnell-Douglas, where he worked as a carpenter retiring in 1994. Joe married Karen Greenlee and they had three children, Troy, James and Ann. They made their home in DeSoto, MO. Joe later married Doris Alden. In later years they moved to Claremore. After the death of his wife, Doris, he stayed in Claremore. In the later years of his life he fell in love with Laura Curts. They spent the past 5 wonderful years together. Joseph was active in the Claremore Senior Center where he served on the Board of Directors, and was in charge of the bridge games. He also enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals, playing Pinochle, horseshoes, and listening to country and blue grass music. He was also an excellent cook. He was a member of the AMVETS in DeSoto, and was awarded AMVET of the year. He also called square dancing and bingo at the AMVET functions.

Joseph was preceded in death by wife, Doris DeClue; his parents; brother, George Merlin DeClue and wife, Betty; sister, Bertha Greenlee and husband, Ed; and brother-in-law, Joe Boyer.

Survivors include his wife, Laura Curts; children: Troy DeClue, James DeClue, and Ann Devine; brother, Don DeClue and wife, Betty of Evans, GA; sister, Monica Boyer of Mineral Point, MO; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial contributions may be made to Claremore Senior Center, or St. Stevens Catholic Church.